An Open Love Letter

R

Roger LaMarque

Roger LaMarque
I simply don't trust advice that isn't given both begrudgingly and in a curmudgeonly fashion. I open 5 bottles of wine a week. If I have to get a few interweb black eyes to make sure what I open isn't crap, then I find that to be a small price. I want to take a moment to thank the people who fill this board with content, even if it may only for be for their own amusement. It is appreciated. And now back to regularly scheduled hegemonic think speak.
 
This post runs against all known practices around here. Isn't there something in the FAQs that make it illegal? If not, shouldn't there be? Next he'll be referring to varieties of grapes as varietals.
 
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg: Next he'll be referring to varieties of grapes as varietals.
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Jonathan, what's wrong with the term "varietal"? ...

Definitions of varietal on the Web:

* a wine made principally from one grape and carrying the name of that grape
wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

* "Varietal" describes wines made primarily from a single named grape variety, and which typically displays the name of that variety on the wine ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varietal

* The grape variety a wine is made from, for example, shiraz; the opposite of a generic wine named after a region (for example, chablis).
www.fosters.com.au/enjoy/wine/wine_glossary.htm

* The varieties of grape from which the wine was made. You might be familiar with many of these: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Shiraz.
www.eccodomani.com/wine-education/wine-terms-and-wine-lingo/index.asp

* The term for a wine named after the dominant grape from which it is made. Often mistakenly used for vine variety.
www.supplewine.com/wine101/glossary/

* Derived from the phrase, grape variety, it indicates the type of grapes (eg chardonnay). For a wine to be labeled a varietal it must contain at least 75% of the named grape variety.
www.santabarbara.com/winecountry/terminology.asp

* A wine made from one type of grape, such as Chardonnay.
www.napanow.com/wine.glossary.html

* Refers to wine made from a specific grape variety like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Chardonnay.
www.winexpert.com/read/news

* Term for wine made wholly or predominantly from the principal grape that appears on the label. Examples: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, etc.
www.lcbapps.lcb.state.pa.us/plcb/cwp/view.asp

* A vine varietal essential for the production of wine grapes. All varietals planted in France (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir..) are of the Vitis vinifera gender.
www.leserbet.com/index.php

* If a wine is said to be varietal, the aromas and flavour characteristics are very typical or true to the particular grape variety. ...
www.masterchef.com.au/wine-glossary.htm

* A variety of grape, eg Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah etc.
https://www.opim.ca/index.php

* a grape variety within the vine species vitis vinifera, or system of wine labeling emphasizing dominant grape variety.
www.marnieold.com/learn/terms.html
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. . . . Pete
 
originally posted by Roger LaMarque:
An Open Love LetterI simply don't trust advice that isn't given both begrudgingly and in a curmudgeonly fashion. I open 5 bottles of wine a week. If I have to get a few interweb black eyes to make sure what I open isn't crap, then I find that to be a small price. I want to take a moment to thank the people who fill this board with content, even if it may only for be for their own amusement. It is appreciated. And now back to regularly scheduled hegemonic think speak.
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Roger,
I join in your appreciation.
When you're right, you're right.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Roger LaMarque:
originally posted by Peter Creasey:

Jonathan, what's wrong with the term "varietal"? ...
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Now that's a troll.
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I'm going to take an ingenuous view of this question. Even on the Parker board, though, you will have heard Robert Fleming and me carry on about the use of varietal to describe a grape as opposed to a wine made from a grape variety.

The proper word for a subcategory of a species for all species including vitis vinifera is "variety," as in "red squirrels are a variety of squirrel," or "according to some zoologists, chimps and bonobos are two varieties belonging to the same species whereas others class them as different species."

Using "varietal" to refer to a variety of a grape is a form of wine geek technobabble based on ignorance of how the words are used. Usage may yet come to authorize it, but the proper position right now is to fight against such an unfortunate authorization by the kind of vigilance necessary to maintain freedom. Other boards are laissez faire about this. We are laissez-faire about almost anything else, but not about this, Here one refers to grape varieties or one will be buked in scorned in subsequent messages.
 
Remember to direct all cepage questions directly to Joe D. Whether or not he imports the wine in question or not.

Cheers,

Kevin
 
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg: Usage may yet come to authorize it
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Jonathan, Since I don't (didn't) read the eRP board, I was not aware of your and Robert Fleming's (whoever he is) dislike of the term "varietal".

I hear the term so often, both online and in wine circles, that it seems to already be "authorized".

Given all the various words that have come into being due to usage in the wine world e.g. meritage, it seems reasonable to accept "varietal" as well.

Having said all of the foregoing, I am not a fan of widespread use of slang and emoticons (to whatever extent that this comment might be pertinent).

. . . . . . Pete
 
originally posted by Peter Creasey:
Given all the various words that have come into being due to usage in the wine world e.g. meritage, it seems reasonable to accept "varietal" as well.
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Lots of people around here with strong aesthetic views.

Including me.

Being reasonable has its place. Maybe the Middle East?
 
I hear the term so often, both online and in wine circles, that it seems to already be "authorized".

Given all the various words that have come into being due to usage in the wine world e.g. meritage, it seems reasonable to accept "varietal" as well.
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Peter, you do "read" this "board," and so have "seen" Jonathan, "Sharon," and "others" including me "rebuke" "people" for this "error." You'll find that quite a "few" here don't "agree" that it's "reasonable" to "accept" the "misuse" of this particular "word."
 
originally posted by Thor:
Peter, you do "read" this "board," and so have "seen" both Jonathan and I "rebuke" "people" for this "error." You'll find that quite a "few" here don't "agree" that it's "reasonable" to "accept" the "misuse" of this particular "word."
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You couldn't throw in a set of parentheses?
 
originally posted by Thor: you do "read" this "board," and so have "seen" both Jonathan and I "rebuke" "people" for this
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Thor, Actually "No!" on both counts. I read perhaps 5-10% of this board due to time constraints. I was not aware of any disenchantment here with the term "varietal" (or if I was, I don't recall it...which is certainly a possibility these days!!).

" " " " " "

. . . . . Pete
 
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